Amifostine

Amifostine is used to prevent dryness in the mouth after radiotherapy of head and neck cancer. It reduces the harmful effect of chemotherapy on the kidneys during treatment with cisplatin (medicines used to treat cancer).

Amifostine is given as an injection into vein (IV infusion) under the supervision of doctor. Your doctor will decide what dose is necessary and how often you need to take it. This will depend on what you are being treated for and may change from time to time. You should take it exactly as your doctor has advised. Taking it in the wrong way or taking too much can cause very serious side effects. It may take several weeks or months for you to see or feel the benefits but do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to.

Nausea, vomiting, decreased blood pressure, sleepiness, dizziness, and flushing are some common side effects of this medicine. Consult with your doctor if it does not go away or bothers you. It is advised to stay hydrated before taking this medicine. You will be check for blood pressure before infusion and every 5 minutes during infusion.

Before taking it, tell your doctor if you have heart diseases such as irregular heartbeat and heart failure, or are taking any medicines to treat infections. Many other medicines can affect, or be affected by, this medicine so let your healthcare team know all medications you are using.

• Treatment of Dryness in the mouth after radiotherapy of head and neck cancer

Treatment of Dryness in the mouth after radiotherapy of head and neck cancer
Amifostine is used to decrease dryness in the mouth caused by radiation treatment after surgery for head and neck cancer. It protects the kidneys from harmful effects of the chemotherapy medicine cisplatin in patients that receive this medication for the treatment of ovarian cancer. It is given as an injection by a doctor or nurse and should not be self-administered.

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Chemophos

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Decreased blood pressure
• Hiccup
• Sleepiness
• Dizziness
• Flushing (sense of warmth in the face, ears, neck and trunk)
• Fever
• Chills

Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.

Amifostine works by removing free radical, harmful elements produced by cisplatin (a medicine used to treat cancer) or radiation therapy in tissues.

• Amifostine is given as an infusion into the vein ( IV infusion) under the supervision of a doctor only.
• It is advisable to stay hydrated or drink plenty of fluids before taking medicine.
• You will be monitored for blood pressure before and after every 5 minutes of infusion.
• It may cause a decrease in calcium levels. Your doctor may monitor your calcium levels regularly and prescribe supplements if needed.

Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 50-51.

Amifostine. Nijmegen, Netherlands: USB Pharma B.V.; 1999. [Accessed 26 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from:

Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). [Accessed 27 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from: